Riding to Eradicate a Disease: Cyclists Ride With and Against Multiple Sclerosis

Team Brain from the University of Utah Brain Institute is one of hundreds of teams participating in the Bike MS Utah Ride this weekend in Logan

The 26th Annual Bike MS Utah, nicknamed "Harmons Best Dam Bike Ride", takes place in and around Logan June 23 - 24.

The ride is the largest fundraiser of the year for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Utah-Southern Idaho Chapter with the funds going toward helping Utahns impacted by the disease improve their quality of life and ultimately to the goal of eradicating the disease.

The Bike MS Utah ride is the largest 2-day organized cycling event in Utah and is comprised of a mix of amateur cyclists riding up to 175 miles through beautiful Cache Valley and into Idaho.

Team Brain is a team from the University of Utah Brain Institute and all of its members either have MS or research and treat the disease. The team founder, Simon Hanrahan, is coming from Australia. The team's captain, Katrina Lund, from Moab spoke to Kerry Bringhurst.

Lund was diagnosed with MS after the right side of her face became numb, similar to the feeling you get after a Novocaine shot from the dentist. "Overall my MS has been really mild. It is a really mysterious, unpredictable disease. I feel really fortunate. Doing Bike MS is my way of giving back to those people whose symptoms are not as mild and who are dealing with a lot more challenges than I am."

Lund also dispelled the myth that sick people can't or shouldn't exercise:

"20 years ago, when people were diagnosed with MS, doctors would tell them to stay in bed and not get exercise. And then they realized that exercise is so beneficial to people with MS. When I was diagnosed with MS, it was a great motivator to start taking better care of myself. It's funny to be diagnosed with a chronic disease and I've never been in better shape in my life!"

Listen to Kerry's full interview with Katrina Lund and learn more about biking with and for MS.

The ride begins and ends at the Cache Valley Fair Grounds (500 W 400 S in Logan), the scene for the awards party Saturday night and live music, kids zone, and bike safety demos throughout the event.